Zimbabwe: Wednesday, 14 November 2012 - Issue 469

Chegutu East Ward 3 Councillor, Locardia Chaipa has initiated several projects in the ward which have benefited hundreds of villagers.

The projects include the construction of 200 toilets, renovations of three schools and the provision of water tanks, boreholes and toilets at the schools. One of the schools that benefited is; Chishoshe Primary School which was renovated and painted. The local community helped in the project by moulding bricks, providing sand and labour.

Two other schools Chirundazi primary and secondary were also beneficiaries. Chirundazi had been condemned by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare which ruled that it was no longer safe for pupils.

The councillor commended people in her ward for the cooperation she has received from them although she faced heavy resistance from some Zanu PF supporters and the MP for Chegutu East, Webster Shamu. Known Zanu PF youths have gone on to vandalise and steal some water pipes at the schools and reports have been made to the police but no arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, Chief Mukwami of Masvingo Central last week told villagers in Ward 15, Chezhara Village that if they were seen interacting with Tongai Gava they would be fined by him. The meeting was held at Muzeze Business Centre. Gava who was present at the meeting was also barred from leaving the village at any given time.

However, Gava has dismissed the chief's attempt to intimidate him and today he visited the MDC provincial offices in Masvingo province where he made an official complaint. The villagers in the area have also resisted the chief's directive not to talk to Gava and have continued socialising with him and assisting him with food since one of his thatched huts was razed to the ground by some known Zanu PF thugs in August.

The Zanu PF arsonists were led by Gava's younger brother Jemitias. No arrests have been made although Gava has made a report of intimidation to the police and the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic).

Gava said during the meeting held last week, the chief demanded an explanation as to why he had made a report about the arson which led to a visit by Jomic to the area.

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